Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Temporary Accommodation: Children

The Lord Bishop of Durham: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the data onhomelessness published on 25 July that showedthat more than 131,000 children were living in temporary accommodation on 31 March 2023, what steps they are taking to reduce the number of children living in temporary accommodation.

The Lord Bishop of Durham: To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support families at risk of homelessness.

Baroness Scott of Bybrook: Temporary accommodation ensures no family is without a roof over their head, however the Government is committed to reducing the need for temporary accommodation by preventing homelessness before it occurs.That is why Government has provided local authorities in excess of £1 billion over the next 3 years through the Homelessness Prevention Grant. Local authorities can use the funding flexibly to work with landlords to prevent evictions and offer financial support for people to find a new home and move out of temporary accommodation.This is on top of total government support of over £94 billion over 2022-23 and 2023- 24 to help households and individuals with the rising cost of living. This includes Cost of Living Payments for the most vulnerable, meaning around 8 million households on eligible means-tested benefits will get up to a further £900 in payments this year.

Certification Quality Marks

Lord Hain: To ask His Majesty's Government why the use of both the UK Conformity Assessment mark and the EU’s CE mark will be allowed indefinitely for UK companies in the electronic, industrial, consumer and other sectors, but not for construction products produced in the UK.

Baroness Scott of Bybrook: As my Rt. Honourable friend the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities set out in his statement of 20 April 2023, the Government is developing proposals for reform of the UK's construction product regime to ensure it is effective in promoting safety and inspires public and market confidence.Our reforms, which we will set out in due course, will set out the future approach to product marking for construction products. In the meantime, recognition of CE marking will continue until the end of June 2025.

Department for Work and Pensions

Child Maintenance Service: Fees and Charges

Baroness Stedman-Scott: To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have any plans to review the four per cent fees charged toreceiving parents in the Child Maintenance Service.

Viscount Younger of Leckie: There are no plans to abolish the four per cent collection charge for receiving parents. This charge only applies to the collect and pay service and is intended to provide a parent with an incentive to use the direct pay service which has no ongoing fees. The collection charge for the receiving parent is deducted only when maintenance is paid, with no money owed to the Child Maintenance Service if maintenance is not paid. These charges contribute to the cost of running an expensive service, which remains subsidised by the taxpayer.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Hornets

Lord Swire: To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to prevent the spread of Asian hornets in England.

Lord Benyon: Defra and the Welsh Government developed the Asian hornet contingency plan (copy attached) in response to the spread of Asian hornet across Europe and the associated impacts reported on honey bees and pollinators. The Contingency Plan details what actions will be taken when incursions of Asian hornet occur with the aim of preventing this species establishing and spreading in the UK. We have taken contingency action against all credible sightings of Asian hornet that have been reported in the UK since the first occurrence in 2016. Contingency action is delivered on the ground by the National Bee Unit (NBU) – part of the Animal and Plant Health Agency. As of 12th September 2023, the NBU have located 43 Asian hornet nests this year. Genetic analyses of hornet and nest samples are done to determine relatedness and assess whether Asian hornets are established in England. Evidence from previous years suggested that all 13 Asian hornet nests found in the UK between 2016 and 2022 were separate incursions and there is nothing to suggest that Asian hornets are established in the UK.  We have not seen any evidence which demonstrates that Asian hornets discovered in England this year were produced by queens that overwintered. More detailed analysis will be done over winter to assess this. Raising awareness is a key aspect of the response. We ask anyone who thinks they may have spotted an Asian hornet to report it through the Asian hornet app or online. By ensuring we are alerted to possible sightings as early as possible, we can take swift and effective action to stamp out the threat posed by Asian hornets.Asian hornet contingency plan (pdf, 997.7KB)

UK Internal Trade: Northern Ireland

Baroness Hoey: To ask His Majesty's Government whether the Windsor Framework will continue to require the application of EU Regulation 2017/625; and if so, whether Northern Ireland for the purposes of that regulation will be treated as the entry point into the territory of the EU.

Lord Benyon: Goods moving via the 'red lane' will need to comply with EU Regulation 2017/625, including arriving into NI via an SPS Inspection Facility.

Veterinary Services: Drugs

Lord Weir of Ballyholme: To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the EUabout veterinary medicines since the Windsor Framework was published.

Lord Weir of Ballyholme: To ask His Majesty's Government what progress they have made onfinding a long term solution with the EU on the issue of veterinary medicines for Northern Ireland since the publication of the Windsor Framework.

Lord Benyon: The Windsor Framework agreement has safeguarded the supplies of veterinary medicines from Great Britain to Northern Ireland to the end of 2025. During this extension to the grace period there will be no changes to the existing requirements on the supply of veterinary medicines to Northern Ireland and businesses should continue operating as they have done to date.The Government’s position is clear, there needs to be a long-term and permanent solution which maintains the uninterrupted flow of veterinary medicines into Northern Ireland from Great Britain on which so many people and businesses rely. Industry engagement has been our core focus in recent months, where we are strengthening and collating further evidence on products at risk. We remain clear with the EU that any future arrangements must consider the overwhelming reliance of Northern Ireland on veterinary medicines from Great Britain.

UK Internal Trade: Northern Ireland

Baroness Hoey: To ask His Majesty's Government whether people seeking to trade goods between Great and Britain and Northern Ireland under the Green Lane as set out in the Windsor Framework must be authorised to do so under the Northern Ireland Retail Movement Scheme; and whether those who trade between two locations in Great Britain need to obtain any similar authorisation in order to do so.

Lord Benyon: Businesses wishing to move goods via the Northern Ireland Retail Movement Scheme must be registered members of the scheme. Registration opened on 1 September, ahead of the scheme going live on 1 October.

Microplastics: Pollution Control

Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle: To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to prevent microplastic fibre pollution.

Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle: To ask His Majesty's Government whatestimate they have made of the costs of installation of microplastic fibre capture filters on domestic washing machines; and what engagement they have had with industry regarding the feasibility of installing such filters.

Lord Benyon: The UK Government has taken significant steps to tackle plastic pollution (eg. microplastics), including restricting the supply of several single-use plastics through introducing a plastic packaging tax from April 2022; restricting the supply of plastic straws, plastic drink stirrers, and plastic-stemmed cotton buds; and preventing billions of plastic micro-beads from entering the ocean each year by introducing a ban on microbeads in rinse off personal care products. Defra have been working closely with industry to understand the costs of installing microfibre filters on washing machines with prices ranging from £30 to £122 per machine dependant on manufacturer and whether the filters are disposable or re-useable. Defra’s Plan for Water includes a commitment for industry to develop low cost, effective microfibre filters on washing machines and encourage their effective use.

Rivers and Seas and Oceans: Microplastics

Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle: To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to improve methods to measure the amount and types of microplastic and microfibres in rivers, lakes, seas and their sediments.

Lord Benyon: Defra intends to publish a report that it commissioned on improving the sampling and analytical protocols to determine the quantities, loads and types of microplastics in surface waters and sediments, later this year. Following this, working with the Environment Agency, Defra will consider the approaches to sampling surface waters and sediments to develop provisional standard operating procedure guidelines that will be used to improve sampling, processing and analysing of microplastics in river waters and sediments.

Water Companies: Microplastics

Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle: To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to work with water companies to explore the management of microplastics in sewage sludge.

Lord Benyon: The Government is committed to safeguarding the natural environment from harms. We have been collaborating with water companies on the investigation of microplastics in wastewater treatment through the National Chemical Investigations Programme. The Environment Agency have published their strategy for safe and sustainable sludge use. This strategy explores options for modernising and harmonising the regulatory framework with the aim of ensuring the management and use of sludge supports healthy and productive land and soil. The Government is currently examining the strategy’s impact on our environmental outcomes and water and farming industries.

Hornets

Lord Moynihan: To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they aretaking to contain the spread of the Asian hornet to the UK.

Lord Benyon: Defra and the Welsh Government developed the Asian hornet contingency plan (copy attached) in response to the spread of Asian hornet across Europe and the associated impacts reported on honey bees and pollinators. The Contingency Plan details what actions will be taken when incursions of Asian hornet occur and has been regularly updated with the most recent version published in January 2023. We have taken contingency action against all credible sightings of Asian hornet that have been reported in the UK since the first occurrence in 2016. Contingency action is delivered on the ground by the National Bee Unit (NBU) – part of the Animal and Plant Health Agency. As of 6th September 2023, the NBU have located 37 Asian hornet nests which have been destroyed. Genetic analyses of hornet and nest samples are done to determine relatedness and assess whether Asian hornets are established in England. Evidence from previous years suggested that all 13 Asian hornet nests found in the UK between 2016 and 2022 were separate incursions and there is nothing to suggest that Asian hornets are established in the UK. We have not seen any evidence which demonstrates that Asian hornets discovered in England this year were produced by queens that overwintered. More detailed analysis will be done over winter to assess this. Raising awareness is a key aspect of the response. We ask anyone who thinks they may have spotted an Asian hornet to report it through the Asian hornet app or online. By ensuring we are alerted to possible sightings as early as possible, we can take swift and effective action to stamp out the threat posed by Asian hornets.Asian hornet contingency plan (pdf, 997.7KB)

Bees and Honey

Lord Moynihan: To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they havemade of the impact of Asian hornets on (1) honey production in the UK, and (2) the decline in pollinators.

Lord Benyon: It is estimated that less than 20% of the honey sold in the UK is produced domestically. To date contingency action has been taken against incursions of Asian hornet into the UK since the first occurrence in 2016. From detailed analysis of all the Asian hornet nests found in the UK between 2016 and 2022 there is no evidence to suggest that Asian hornets are established in the UK. Therefore, the impact on UK honey production is thought to be minimal. Nevertheless, we recognise that if Asian hornet were to become established in the UK, it is likely that there would be significant impacts on honey bees and wild pollinators. This is why we continue to take contingency action against all credible sightings of Asian hornet. Pollinators are a priority for this government, and we are taking action alongside many partners to implement the National Pollinator Strategy’s provisions. The National Pollinator Strategy Action Plan was published in May 2022 and sets out more specifically how we will continue to act to fulfil the vision, aims and objectives of the Strategy over the period 2021-2024, including in relation to tackling the threats from non-native invasive species like the Asian hornet.

Lighting: Pollution

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made oftheresults of Star Count 2023 project published byCPRE, the countryside charity.

Lord Benyon: The Government has not made a formal assessment of the results of CPRE’s Star Count 2023. We recognise that light pollution may have an impact on people and the environment and have put in place a range of measures to ensure that artificial light is managed effectively. These include controls in the planning system, the statutory nuisance regime, and improvements in street lighting.

Hornets

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of thedanger of Asian hornets becoming established in England; and what steps they are taking, if any, in response.

Lord Benyon: In 2011, the GB Non-Native Invasive Species Team conducted a pest risk assessment (copy attached) to assess the dangers of Asian hornets establishing in the UK, following the spread of Asian hornet across Europe and the associated impacts reported on pollinators. The risk of the pest entering the UK and establishing was assessed as very likely and it was suggested that the impacts on honey bees and wild pollinators could be significant. Following this assessment Defra and the Welsh Government developed the Asian hornet contingency plan (copy attached) which outlines what actions will be taken when incursions occur. This Plan has been regularly updated with the most recent version published in January 2023. We have taken contingency action against all credible sightings of Asian hornet that have been reported in the UK since the first occurrence in 2016. Contingency action is delivered on the ground by the National Bee Unit (NBU) – part of the Animal and Plant Health Agency. As of 6th September 2023, the NBU have located 37 Asian hornet nests which have been destroyed. Genetic analyses of hornet and nest samples are done to determine relatedness and assess whether Asian hornets are established in England. Evidence from previous years suggested that all 13 Asian hornet nests found in the UK between 2016 and 2022 were separate incursions and there is nothing to suggest that Asian hornets are established in the UK. We have not seen any evidence which demonstrates that Asian hornets discovered in England this year were produced by queens that overwintered. More detailed analysis will be done over winter to assess this. Raising awareness is a key aspect of the response. We ask anyone who thinks they may have spotted an Asian hornet to report it through the Asian hornet app or online. By ensuring we are alerted to possible sightings as early as possible, we can take swift and effective action to stamp out the threat posed by Asian hornets.pet risk assessment (pdf, 997.7KB)Asian Hornet contingency plan (pdf, 746.9KB)

Housing: Construction

Lord Redesdale: To ask His Majesty's Government which planned housing developments, if any, are currently not proceeding as result of low water levels across the UK.

Lord Benyon: Defra are aware of some developments, such as in Cambridge and North Sussex, which are seeing objections to planning concerning water availability and the impact on the environment. Defra is working closely with DLUHC to identify solutions to overcome these barriers to enable growth.

Ports: Infrastructure

Lord Weir of Ballyholme: To ask His Majesty's Government what physical infrastructure they plan to provide at ports in (1) England, (2) Scotland, and (3) Wales, to process goods entering from the EU.

Lord Benyon: The Government is providing the necessary infrastructure to service trade coming through the Short Strait in Kent. That infrastructure is being readied for the introduction of physical checks on goods imported through Port of Dover and Eurotunnel from April 2024. Regarding Scotland and Wales, Border Control Post (BCP) infrastructure is a devolved matter. The Welsh Government is in the process of building an inland BCP at Holyhead (North Wales). Decisions on the need for further inland sites, including in Scotland, are yet to be taken. The UK Government will work closely with Devolved Government counterparts to ensure there is sufficient capacity to deliver the required checks, as set out in the Border Target Operating Model.

Ground Water

Lord Patten: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the adequacy of ground water levels to meet current needs in England; and whether such water levels have (1) decreased, or (2) increased, since 2000.

Lord Benyon: The Environment Agency monitors groundwater levels across the country at thousands of locations and uses groundwater models designed to manage water resources, balancing the needs of both abstractors and the environment. Groundwater models provide current and future trends of water availability and are used to inform Abstraction Licencing Strategies used for local water resource management.   Over the past 20 years, groundwater levels in some areas have declined and in other areas increased. Over relatively short periods of time groundwater levels can vary significantly in response to environmental factors (particularly rainfall both in terms of overall quantity and timing) and due to changing abstraction pressures. It should be noted that groundwater levels in most locations were relatively high in the 2000s due to a period of high rainfall recharge which caused significant groundwater flooding in some areas and more recently have been relatively low due to prolonged dry weather.   The Environment Agency’s assessment shows that since 2017 the number of groundwater bodies with sustainable abstraction has increased from 72% to 73%.

Pesticides

Lord Redesdale: To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to reduce the environmental risks of (1) pesticides, and (2) highly hazardous chemicals.

Lord Benyon: The UK, as party to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), is committed to meeting a global target to reduce the overall risks from pesticides and highly hazardous chemicals by at least half by 2030, as agreed at COP15 as part of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Individual countries will be starting from different baseline positions in making their contributions to the overall global target and the UK will need to update and submit its National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans by the 16th Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biodiversity, in 2024. The UK is also committed to publishing a National Action Plan for the Sustainable Use of Pesticides (NAP), which will outline how we will take action to minimise the risks and impacts of pesticides to human health and the environment, while ensuring pests and pesticide resistance can be managed effectively. We are developing a cross-government Chemicals Strategy to frame the work we are doing across chemicals and put us on a path towards improved chemicals management. It will set out our priorities and principles for taking regulatory action to protect human health and the environment. Internationally, the UK is participating in negotiations for a new global framework for the safe and effective management of chemicals, to replace the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management.